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Are there differences between traditional smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Johnson City?

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Johnson City smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm discussion, there’s easily only one victor. Smoke detectors are an essential first step in protecting your residence from emergency situations, but they have a few concerning shortcomings. Alternatively, monitored fire alarms provide more ways to detect an emergency and can contact help when disaster strikes. Linking your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also delivers various other perks that your ordinary smoke detectors would only dream about.

The drawbacks of traditional smoke alarms in [[targetlocaion]]

Defending against fire is a chief concern for homeowners, and smoke detectors play an essential role in keeping your family safe. Even so, smoke detectors have some drawbacks. For example, they are only able to identify smoke, not heat. In the event there is an emergency in your house, you may not be cautioned unless the smoke reaches the smoke detector. Although there are some other telltale signs of fire -- like a sudden rise in heat -- if you don’t have smoke, you will fail to get a sounding of your smoke detector.

Additionally, smoke detectors only beep if they detect ample smoke. When a fire begins slowly, you might not be warned until the flames are out of control. Many smoke detectors utilize more than one sensor, meaning they will detect smoke from both roaring flames and smoldering remnants. If they sound their alarm, it's up to the resident to notify first responders after they safely leave the residence.

Monitored fire alarms offer more benefits than standard smoke detectors

Even though they look about the same as standard smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms offer more benefits. When integrated to a complete home security installation, they are able to:

  • Detect fire with multi-sensor technology: Comparable to a traditional smoke detector, your monitored device can trigger from an active or passive fire. It will sound a high-decibel beeping if it recognizes a hazardous situation.
  • Identify fire due to a abrupt heat surge: Your monitored fire alarm can also go off if it notices an uncommon increase in heat. Many times, heat comes before smoke. Added ways to identify a fire means extra ways to protect your loved ones.
  • Alerts your dedicated monitoring specialists: Fires may take place when you are at your house or not. Regardless, your fire alarms will warn your monitoring specialists, who are able to rapidly place a call to the fire department. When every tick of the clock is critical, it's comforting to have the knowledge that a trained professional is constantly watching over your house.
  • Connects to home automation: Even though the chief purpose of a fire alarm is to recognize fire and call for help, it will also join forces with other automated equipment. For example, a tripped alarm can induce your system to turn on the exhaust fan to hinder the spread of fire or trigger smart light bulbs so you are able to locate the best path out of the house.

Your monitored fire alarms are an important aspect of a complete smart home

The simplest way to optimize your fire alarms is to connect them with a Vivint home security system. Contact a Vivint specialist today and customize the ideal smart home for your needs. Place a call to (423) 537-4338 or send in the following form to get started.